For several years now I have had students in my U.S. history classes play The Royal Geographical Pastime: Exhibiting a Complete Tour Round The World. In which are delineated the North East and North West Passages into the South Sea, and other modern Discoveries.  Thomas Jeffreys, “geographer to the King,” who created and published it in London in 1770 at a moment when the British empire was very powerful, intended to teach aristocratic young men about the empire’s reach and scope, how to travel, and why each colony mattered. My students learn some of the same things from it—though from a different perspective—including what the world looked like then; the products produced by different colonies and nations around the world; and major historical events—from earthquakes to rebellions—during the eighteenth century (which are chronicled in the game). In addition, it also teaches how people traveled, as it tracks actual sailing routes around the world, and perhaps most importantly, it shows the power and arrogance of the elite within the British empire. When I am teaching in person, I have made reproductions of it, complete with eight-sided dice and tiny people as tokens. More recently, I put it online (with help from others!), and students can find it and play virtually.  Continue reading “The Royal Geographical Pastime: A Game from 1770 – Holly Brewer”